In this exclusive interview with concept artist Andrea Dopaso, she talks about the design of the Klingon homeworld and the red planet in the Nibiru system. Plus, she shares some amazing concept designs from Star Trek Into Darkness with us.
Andrea Dopaso is an accomplished fine artist and works in the motion picture industry as a concept artist and set designer on films like Iron Man 3 (2013), Spider-Man (2002) and Oz: The Great and Powerful (2013).
Check out the rest of the images after the jump and click to enlarge.
How did you get your start on the Star Trek franchise?
My collaboration in Star Trek, happened because I have been working with Scott Chambliss for many years since his first projects in Los Angeles. He is an amazing designer, creative and deeply involved in his projects, but above all he is an incredible human being. Caring and kind to his team. So I was very lucky when I meet him back them.
I guess he also appreciates what I can bring to the table in this creative and fun endeavor of dreaming stuff for films.
What was it like working on the second J.J. Abrams franchise?
I guess he also appreciates what I can bring to the table in this creative and fun endeavor of dreaming stuff for films.
What was it like working on the second J.J. Abrams franchise?
My participation in the first JJ.'s Star Trek was bigger than in the second one. I was still a set designer then, but I am thrilled to say that my simple pencil sketches and ideas following Scott vision, help to create the new look for the Enterprise Bridge (you can find this in my site).
The funny thing is that you really get to see the Bridge in the latest movie, with all its details, more than in the first one. I was so happy in the screening of Into the Darkness!!! I felt blessed for being part of this industry.
The funny thing is that you really get to see the Bridge in the latest movie, with all its details, more than in the first one. I was so happy in the screening of Into the Darkness!!! I felt blessed for being part of this industry.
What designs did you contribute for the film?
I worked in the "Red Planet" development, for the opening of the film, dreaming alien vegetation, and also in the process of developing ideas for the Klingon Planet.
Scott wanted to achieved a red warm, seductive atmosphere for the primitive civilization of the Red Planet. But for the Klingon world he was looking for a planet devastated not only by continuous war, but the nature of the planet itself, consumed by toxic eruptions and chemicals spills of all sorts. This created a miserable condition for the life of its inhabitants.
Scott wanted to achieved a red warm, seductive atmosphere for the primitive civilization of the Red Planet. But for the Klingon world he was looking for a planet devastated not only by continuous war, but the nature of the planet itself, consumed by toxic eruptions and chemicals spills of all sorts. This created a miserable condition for the life of its inhabitants.
It was a real treat to share the office with Ryan Church, James Clyne, Nathan Schroeder, John Eaves, Steve Messing and Chis Ross. Quite a talented group.
In the movie industry you have at your disposal incredible teams of people that make your dreams come true, and the economic resources to expand your dreams and visions. It is a collaborative effort. Even though limitations exist, you have the opportunity to jump between different worlds, from one show to the other: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Period films, super heroes, you named it!
How do you view your fine arts work compared to working in the film industry?
How do you view your fine arts work compared to working in the film industry?
Working in my art is a trip inside myself, an isolated journey, looking for the meaning of life in the event it has any.
For reference, here's an image of the Red Planet from the film:
See more of Andrea Dopaso's fine art portfolio at andreadopaso.com and her designs at goodart-badart.com
Click on the links if you want to see more of Andrea Dopaso's work and Star Trek Into Darkness.
For reference, here's an image of the Red Planet from the film:
See more of Andrea Dopaso's fine art portfolio at andreadopaso.com and her designs at goodart-badart.com
Click on the links if you want to see more of Andrea Dopaso's work and Star Trek Into Darkness.
When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organisation has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.
Pioneering director J.J. Abrams delivers the explosive action thriller Star Trek Into Darkness, following on from the international box office success of Star Trek in 2009. Featuring a stellar cast including Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Karl Urban, Alice Eve, Zoe Saldana, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, Simon Pegg, Bruce Greenwood, Noel Clarke and Peter Weller.
Official Site: StarTrekMovie.com
Director: J.J. Abrams
Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, Bruce Greenwood, Benedict Cumberbatch, Peter Weller
What do you think of the illustrations?
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The illustrations of Red Planet, directly below where she talks about the topic eruptions look pretty intense and yet, are not why I love this interview so much. I am especially glad to read about a woman who is working in one of the technical departments in film. It is not often that I hear about a female conceptual artist for movies.
ReplyDeleteAndrea-Dopaso's work is also inspiring from the level of fine arts...a field that many people...including public education systems, avoid taking seriously and citizens often discourage HS grads from pursuing a degree in arts when they attend college. I shared similar concerns when I was a teenager and so, it's always nice to see examples of people who prove that one can make a living working in the field of fine arts.
~Nicole
Nicole, thanks for comment! The number of female concept artist in the industry is surprisingly small. Most are set designers or, like Andrea, transition to concept design.
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